by Tim Hall

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105, NKJV). It's one of the most fundamental truths in the Bible. Humans do not have within them the wisdom necessary for successful living (see Jeremiah 10:23 and Titus 2:11,12 as examples). If it is possible for us to find our own way without God's help, then why waste our time reading the Bible?

But sometimes even good people turn away from God's light as they give more emphasis to their own understanding and insight. And what is God's reaction to such? Surely He is tolerant as He judges our good intentions, right?

Job was an upright and blameless man (Job 1:1), yet he treaded on dangerous ground by speculating on matters about which God had said nothing. The first words of God's response surely caused Job to shudder as he realized what a mistake he had made: "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" (Job 38:2).

"Counsel" in this statement refers, of course, to God's counsel. God does not counsel us on every detail of life, but when he does speak, his pronouncements ought to be held with great respect. Instead, Job had "darkened" God's counsel. How had he done that? "By words without knowledge." By speaking where God had not spoken - attempting to explain issues God had not explained - Job had inadvertently thrown a drape over the shining words of truth. It's one of the greatest mistakes a person can make.

Those who are wicked try hard to snuff out the light God has given. Paul warned them against their attempts to "suppress the truth in unrighteousness" (Romans 1:18). But Job was not a wicked man. He was well-intentioned. Nonetheless, he also drew the wrath of God for daring to speak where God had not spoken.

Isaiah faced a different situation. People in his day were turning from God to seek guidance from mediums and wizards. God's warning through His prophet is timeless: "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). How sad to turn away from light to non-light when illumination is what we desperately need!

Don't focus merely on the messenger. Yes, the tone of his voice and his reassuring smiles are comforting. But if the words he speaks are not based on God's revelation, there is no light in what he says. Those who follow such empty messengers are darkening the light God has given.